Mission engineering for the RETALT VTVL launcher

Abstract In the last decade, rapid and successful development of reusable launch systems such as SpaceX’ Falcon 9 demonstrated both operational feasibility launchers their economic viability. The objective recovering a launcher or launcher’s booster requires to safely return vehicle from orbital sub-orbital conditions soft landing. To increase reusability, decrease turnaround time reduce costs, precise touchdown on pre-defined landing site floating barge Ocean is preferred splashdown in water, due mainly highly detrimental effect salted water components equipment. project RETALT (Retro Propulsion Assisted Landing Technologies) was funded by EU Horizon 2020 program study develop critical technologies for recovery based retro-propulsion. this context, in-house experience tools, DEIMOS Space carried out mission engineering RETALT1 concept assess mission, wide range Main Engine Cut-Off (MECO) conditions, when stage separated rest vehicle, line with available propellant budget, while maintaining peak entry within acceptable limits. Either DownRange (DRL) drone ship at sea Return Launch Site (RTLS) land proximity pad performed velocity distance MECO site. For burn, safe approach has been implemented avoid damaging ground infrastructure case anomalies during flight. Based assessment, needs have identified, leading definition preliminary requirements system subsystem level. Consequently, consolidation design possible optimised trajectories defined DRL RTLS scenarios.